This last year has been another active and successful one for Dorset CPRE and may be summarised as follows:

Dorset CPRE sponsored a new class in the Best Dorset Village competition for Best Village Shop, which was won by Winfrith Village Stores. At the same time we have launched an appeal for everyone in Dorset to support their local village shops, but also to encourage parish councils to help these shops resolve their parking and other issues, and urge district councils to give 100% business rates relief automatically.

The developer of a damaging and intrusive solar farm at Mapperton conceded defeat after legal proceedings in which Dorset CPRE participated. Sadly though they are likely to be putting in a new application, which is expected to meet strong opposition.

Mike Harries, Director for Environment and the Economy at Dorset County Council gives talk on “Environment and the Economy – Finding the balance” at Dorset CPRE AGM 2014

The planning application for a large housing estate at the unsuitable site of Crown Meadows, near Blandford, has been withdrawn and moved to a better location after local opposition with our assistance.

Peter Neal has been named CPRE’s national Countryside Champion of the year, and Bob Kerr has won the award for a Beautiful and Litter-free Countryside. Both are from Dorset.

Vigorous local groups are contesting three major wind turbine applications. TAINT is opposing the West Dorset Wind Farm at Tolpuddle, while DART (WW) is fighting the Blandford Hill Wind Farm at Winterborne Whitechurch and NSLT is campaigning against the Slyers Lane Wind Farm at Charminster. These are all highly damaging developments and Dorset CPRE has been assisting with finance and marshalling local objections to the relevant District councils.

Bournemouth University has expressed an interest in widening the scope of their projects from Bournemouth into the County of Dorset and have chosen Dorset CPRE as a partner.

Please click here to read and download articles from the Autumn edition of The Dorset Review.

How do I join Dorset CPRE?

The most effective way for you to help protect the countryside is to become a member of CPRE. We all need the countryside – whether it’s for fresh air, delicious local produce, beautiful landscapes, or vibrant market towns and villages – the countryside is invaluable. We have a special introductory offer of £20, when paying by Direct Debit, which is unlikely to be repeated in 2015. Please take advantage of this offer if you would like to join us.